By Chief Steven J. Wojnar
Dudley Police Department With the weather improving, hopefully more people will be taking advantage of the situation and enjoying outdoor activities. People had stayed indoors a great deal during what seemed to be a never-ending winter and more people will now be out and about. With this in mind, I was asked to remind the people of our area to watch their speed while driving. This is obviously important at any time, however; it is especially true now. Whether it be jogging, walking, bike riding, or even cleaning yards near the roadside, more people are outside. Many young children are also out playing in their yards and are not always aware of the dangers cars can pose. Some young children may go out to the street either intentionally or by accident. In neighborhoods like cul-de-sacs, or other areas where the streets are not heavily traveled, people often use them for a wider array of recreational activities, such as ball playing. Even though these activities are not technically “permitted,” they do occur on occasion. With all these factors in mind, drivers are being asked to pay attention to their speed and drive defensively. It is important to share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, and others. Our office receives speeding complaints from all over town, and we try to be in many places to provide traffic enforcement. People must be aware of this presence and drive accordingly. In addition to the normal heavily traveled roads, many calls are received from places with very light traffic. These lesser traveled areas can be especially dangerous should drivers speed. People that live in those places, who may be using the roads, are not expecting fast traveling vehicles. They may not be able to react in time to avoid a problem. By combining cautious driving with the proper use of the roads by the public, we can reduce the chances of accidents and injuries. |
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen.
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